Polished-rod rotor



y 1930- A. BOYNTON 1, 6

POLISHED ROD, ROTOR Filed June 19, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet .1

July 1, 1930.

A. BOYNTQN 1,769,253 1 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fil'ed June '19, 1926 July 1, 1930. A. BOYN'TON 3 POLISHED ROD ROTOR Filed June 19, 1926 3' Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented July 1, 1930 UNITED, STATES PATENT. oFF ca;

ALEXANDER noYn'ron, or SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS POLISHED-ROD Boron Application filed June-19,

This invention relates to polished rod ro- Another object is to provide simple means whereby the rotor is rendered temporarily inoperative should the cups or plunger in .he working barrel stick and cause excessive back strain on the rods. I

A further object is-to provide novel means whereby the proper operation of the rotor is audibly and visually indicated. I

A further object is to provide an attachment of the character described which accomplishes the turning of the rods onthe down strokes thereof duringwhich time the friction is less and the weight of the column of fluid is, of course, supported by the standing valve. I p

A further and equally important object is permit of the useof standard equipment and which may be applied; or disconnected in a highly expeditious manner and without the exerciseof unusual skill. 1

Other objects and advantages will be ap parent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming being shown in section;

5* to provide a polished rod rotor which will I i a part of this application and in which like 1926. Serial no, 117,192.

ing the means for detachably connecting an actuator and a link associated therewith;

Figure?) is a perspective of the improved rotor applied below the beam; 1 e v Figure 4 is a group perspective illustrating the connection between the actuator and the link shown in FigureS; I "f Figure 5 is a groupview of a washer and a lubricant container embodied intl 'efinventiony 7 Flgure 6 is aside elevationof whatmight be said to be the body of the rotor, parts Figure 7 is agroup perspective illustrating the position certain parts occupy in order that they may be assembled.-

' Figure 8 is a perspective illustrating a slight modification of the invention and the position occupied by'an arm when the rotor is disconnected.

Figure 9 is a group perspective'illustrating the form of invention shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view through the actuator and the attaching base therefor. v Y Y Figure v11 is a detail sectional view illustrating the connection between the actuator and the arm.

a beam while the numeral 6 designates a polished rod of conventional or other de- In the drawing'the numeral 5 designates sign. Figures 1 and 3 illustrate that a polished rod grip 7 establishes a driving connection between the beam 5 and the polished rod 6 so that the rockingof the beam will result in the reciprocation of the rod 6, all of which is old and well known.

The invention forming the subject matter of this application comprises a tubular body 8 adapted to be mounted on the polished rod and rigidly secured thereto by a locking screw 9 and a longitudinallysplit nipple 10. The nipplelO is formed with a plurality of reasonably wide spaced incisionsdefining' a number of partly severed portions which when introduced into the internally threaded tapered end portion of the body will be forced into gripping engagement with the polished rod whereby the body is firmly at tached to the polished rod. Figure 6 clearly illustrates that the attaching portion of the nipplelO is tapered and that the nipple extends out of the body for sufficient distance to permit of the application of a wrench thereto for the purpose of tightening the nipplein the body and thereby engaging the partly severed portions of the nipple firmly with the polished rod.

Figure 6 illustrates that one end portion of the body is externally reduced to define an external annular shoulder having ratchet teeth 11 adapted to be engaged with the ratchet teeth on the opposed end of a sleeve or clutch member 12. In carrying out the invention the member 12'is provided with teeth 11 through the medium of a coil spring 20 confined between the reduced end of the clutch member and the inwardly directed attaching portion 22 of a housing 24. Figure to an edge as indicated at 26 for use in chiselling away ice which may form in freezing weather.

When the improved rotor is mounted above the beam as shown in Figure 1 a washer 28 of a su table material is mounted between the body 8 and the top of thegrip 7 and this washer may be lubricated by the oil contained within a cup 29 of annular formation.

The lugs 16 of the trunnion nut are received in sockets 30 opening out through 0pposite sides of the branches of a forked link 32 and the rear portion of the link is dctach- V positioned at or near the end'of the trunnion ably connectedto an actuator 31 in the natore of a standard or arm which is attached to the beam in a manner to be described.

Preparatory to connecting the branches ofthe link 32 with the lugs l6,the nut 15 is V imparting'a slight turn to either the link 32 or the trunnion nutthe lugs will be attached to the link. After this the link 32 is swung at right angles to the trunnion to an operative position.

Attentmn is now invited. to Figures 1 and 2 which illustrate that oneend of the link 32 is provided with a disk shaped head 33 adapted to be detachably received in a socket 34 in the upper portion of the actuator 31. The shank of the head 33 extends a latch 37 is swung into engagement with the link, 32 so as to. hold the head 33 in the opening 34 and at the same time permit of the limited rocking movement between the link and the actuator. i

The connectionbetween the actuator 31 and the link 32 is especially useful when the rotor is mounted above the beam as shown in Figure 1. In this connection it is noted that when it is desired to pull the rods for the purpose of renewing the cups or for some other reason'it is merely necessary to disengage the latch '37 from the link 32 and the link allowed to remain connected to the trunnionarm. It is important to "note that the adjustment of the'trunnion nut 15 on the trunnion is not" materially disturbed 'when the link 32 is, disconnected from the actuator and when the polished rod is disconnected preparatory to pulling the rods, the clutch mechanism shown in Figure 6 is allowed to remain in place onthe polished rod. When the polished rod is againconnected to the beam it is a simple matter to reconnect the link 32 to the actuator as previously described; r

As inferred, the nut 15 is adjustable on thetrunnion' arm, which adjustment permits the extent of intermittent rotation of the rods to be varied. If it is desired to decrease the extent of; rotation on each downstroke of the rods, the nut 15 is turned to a posis tion near the terminal orouter end of the trunnion. Onthe other hand if it is desired 'to increase the extent of turning of the polished rod and other movable part of the equipment the nut 15 is moved in toward the clutching mechanism.

Particular attention is directed to the fact that the nut 15 not onlyconstitutes a connector for joining the link 32 and the trun nion, but also defines a bearing for the forked end of the link. It isbelieved to be obvious that the rocking of the beam will result in a slight rocking of the nut 15 on the trunnion arm.

The actuator is threaded into a boss 40 formed on the outer surface of an attaching plate 41 which as shown in Figures 1 and 3 may be applied either above or below the beam. In either case the inwardly directed flanges 42 of the base plate are extended over squirts through plate binding engagement with the beam. 'This' permits of the connection of the actuator to the beam without alteration of the beam or and well known manner.

the flanges-o1": thejbeam 5 and a set screw43 of appropriate stoutness carried by the base is advanced to'move a wedge 44 into the exercise of unusual skill.

l/Vhen the rotor is positioned below the beam as shown in Figure 3 the actuator may be provided-with a lower portion of carried by the forked-end of the modified link 48. The particular connection between the actuator 31 shown inFigures 3 and 4 and the link 48 permits of the quick disconnection of the link from the actuator should it be desired to pull the rods. The form of actuator and link sho'wnin Figures 3 and 4 may also be employed when the rotor is positioned above the beam, in which case the pin 47 is received in what will then be the lower end of the slot 46. r i

In operation, the improved rotor will impart the desired turning movement to the polished rod and associated elements on the down strokes of the polished'rod, etc so as to avoid the friction and the weight of the column of fluid present on the up strokes of the rods.

When the improved rotor. is mounted above the beam it may be connected to the polished rod without disconnecting the well, and when the rotor is mounted below the beam as suggestedin Figure 3, the well,'ot course, must be disconnected, but this requires only a few minutes and when once installed will require little, if any, attention.

The use of the attachment uniformly distributes the wear on the cups, the working barrel, the stuffing box and the'like, so that these parts are maintained in round and thereforelast longer than 7 would, all of which is intended to allow the prolonged operation of the well without pulling the rods-and consequently cutting oit production.

Those skilled in the art will immediately appreciate that the employment of the improved rotor will avoid scoring working barrels and the formation of groovesin'the cups. It is well known that when a working barrel is scored or grooves are cut, the fluid these grooves or cuts so that it is emulsified. The emulsification of the'oihof course, reduces its gravity and consequently itssale value. By the employment'of this invention, emulsification ofthe oil from this cause, at least, is overcome. I

In the form of invention shown in Figures 8 to 11 inclusive, the beam is designated by the numeral while the numeral 101 designates a polished rod of conventional or other design, the polished rod-being extended through a trunnion 102 in the usual T-shaped slot 46, the which receives a pin 47' 120 thus they otherwise However, subsequent to the installation of the improved In carrying out the invention, the rotor designated by the numeral 104 is provided with a movable clutch section 105 having a radial trunnion arm 106 upon which a trunnion nut 107 is threaded. Figure 8 clearly illustrates that the trunnion nut 107Whas radial lugs 108 received in the oppositely directed slots of the forked end of the actuator arm 109, the structure thus far described in connection with this form of invention being substantially the same as the construction illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 Y inclusive.

"The arm 109 is provided with a substantially cylindrical or disk shaped rear end 114 adapted to be detachably received in a similarly formed opening in the head 116 of an actuator. 117. Figures 8 and 9 clearly illustrate that the head 116 is provided with a web 118 at one side of the opening therein,

iii)

to strengthen the head and to provide a contact means for one of a pair of laterally projecting. arcuate ribs 120. In carrying out the invention the other laterally projecting arcuate rib 120 is received within and is engaged with the offset intermediate portion of a latch 121 as clearly shown in Figure 11. With the ribs engaged with the latch 121. and with the web 118 lost motion is'reduced to a minimum. Fi re 9 clearly illustrates that the terminal of the latch is provided with a U-shaped arm engaging portion 125 by means of which the terminal 114 is held -in the head 116. s

At this point attention is especially dirooted to Figure 8 which shows that when w it is desired to disconnect the rotor from theactuating means therefor it is a simple matter to elevate the latch and then move the terminal portion laterally 'out of the opening in the head 116, and then allow the arm to swing downwardly to an inoperative position. Actual demonstrationof this point of the invention revealed that this 'may be accomplished in a moment and either, with or without disconnecting the well. Herein lies one of the ingenious features of the invention for the reason'that the source of power for operatingth pump may be at a point remote from the well and would require probably 20 or 80 minutes to go from the well to the source of power and return to disconnect the rotor. When it is desired to again connect the rotor to the actuating means therefor it is merely necessary to swing the arm 109 upwardly and introduce the terminal portion 114 of the-same into the head 116, after which Pi;

7 base 131.

the latchmay be swung to an operative position to hold the parts together.

' The lower portion of the actuator .117 is of cylindricalformation and is rotatably extended through a boss 130 at one end of a The intermediate portion. of the shank of the actuator is flat so that during he application of the actuator to the base the shank may be moved through a slot 135. lVhen -the shank has been passed through the slot 135 and the opening inthe base, the actuator may be turned to the position illustrated in Figure 8.

'VVith the actuator thus connected to the 4 base a laterally projecting flange 137 at the lower end of the actuator is received in the laterally enlarged or rabbeted lower end of the opening in the boss 130 so further upward movement of the actuator is .prevented. The connection between the actuator and the base does not in any way interfere with the free limited turning of the actuator on the base and in fact maladjustment of the actuator on the base is made an impossibility. Attention is also directed to the fact that the'lubrication of the lower portion of the actuator is greatly simplified by the employment of the slot 135. However, a suitable lubricant may be applied at the top of the boss 130, in which case it would naturally work its way between the cylindrical lower end of the actuator and the bearing portion of the boss.

In the. mechanical expression of the form of invention shown in Figure 9, the ends of the base may be provided with L-shaped attaching flanges 188 adapted to extend about the flanges of the beam and a setscrew 1 10 may be employed to force a wedge into firm engagement withthei adjacent portion of the beam.

As pointed out in the statement, the normal operation of the improved rotor not only gives a visual signal, but also an audible signal so that any attendant who may be in the immediate vicinity is warned by two entirely separate distinct signals in case ofthe improper operation of the rotor.

In explaining this, it may be pointed out that when the teeth of the movable section of the clutch completely travel over the teeth of the relatively fixed section, a plainly audible clicking noise is caused. When the r will not pass beyond the teeth with which the same were engaged before a particular oscillation of the beam.

The failure of the rotor to function may be due to improper adjustment of the nut 15 on the trunnion 14 or from the sticking of the cups in the working barrel.

It is desired to emphasize that a rotor lubrication is provided between the fixed 0 member 29 and the movable part 8 ofthe rotor. In describing this phase of the invention, the parts 12 and 8 are classed as relatively rotatable clutch members and 29 is regarded as being relatively fixed.

If the cups or the plunger, as the case may be, should stick or bind in theworking barrel, the operation of the rotor on the down stroke of the pump would result merely intwisting of the rod. Of course,

since the rotor turns the polished rod only a part of a complete turn, the twist in the entire sucker rod would benegligible. During the subsequent up stroke of the sucker rod the body 8 rides back over the part 29 and the twist in the rods is taken out.

In other words, when the rotor has functioned in the case assumed, until more force is required to rotate the cups or plun er than is required to overcome the friction hetween the rotating member and the fixed member 29, then this'f'riction will be overcome thereby causing the reciprocating or paying back movement. This movement constitutes the safety means that prevents the rods from being twisted in two by the clockwise action of the rotor.

Otherwise. expressed, when the cups or plunger are free the intermittent rotation of the member 8 and the polished rod will be entirely clockwise to avoid the formation of squirt grooves and to keep the rods at the joints thereof tight.- Should the cups or plunger, as the case may be, become stuck a back twist will be built up in the sucker rods. so that the friction between the parts 8 and 29 will be overcome. When the friction'is thus overcome, the back twist in the rods will cause the rods to partake of an untwisting movement at the time when the trunnion is moving to a new operative position. In other words, during the return of the clutch section 12 to an operative posi tion the, section 8 will move with the section 12 so that no further twisting of the rods results.

The moment the cups or plunger are freed, the twist in the rodsis relieved and the rotor will again function normally.

. said body.

This safety feature of the invention is en tirely automatic and were it not for this the operation of the rotor when the cups are stuck would twist. the rods in two. -Of course, the rotor will continue to operate even after the cups are stuck until the back strain in the rods exceeds a predetermined point or is sufficient to overcome the friction between the member 8 and the member 29.

Having thus described the invention, whatv 3. A polished rod rotor comprising a body having means whereby the same may be secured on a polished rod and being provided with a reduced portion defining a shoulder, said shoulder being provided with teeth, a clutch member onthe reduced portion of the body and having teeth meshing with said first named teeth, said clutch member being provided with a radial extension, and adjustable means mounted on said radial extension for intermittently turning the clutch member and the body.

4:. The construction set forth. in claim 3, a spring engaged with said clutch member to urge the teeth of the same into engagement with the teeth on said shoulder, and a housing enclosing said spring and having attaching means threaded on the reduced portion of said body and defining an abutment for one end of said spring.

5. A polished rod rotor comprising a body having means whereby the same may be secured on the polished rod of a sucker rod, an anti-friction element at oneend of the body, a lubricant receiving cup receiving said anti-friction element and adapted to.

supply the same with a lubricant, and means to intermittently turn the body in'one direction, said body being free to turn in the other direction between the intermittent periods of turning of the body in the first named direction.

6. A polished rod rotor comprising a body having means whereby the same may be attached to a polished rod, aturning device mounted on the body and having a substantially radial extension, a combined conv 'nector and bearing adjustably threaded on said extension, and a link having means whereby the same may be connected to said the teeth of combined connector and bearing, the adjustableamounting of said combined connector and bearing constituting a'means whereby the throw of the turning device may be varied.

7 A- polished rod rotor comprising a bod-y having means whereby the same'may be secured to a polished rod, a turning device mounted on the body and having a threaded extension, a nut threaded on said extension and having lugs, and a link having one end portion forked to define branches, said branches being provided with slots receiving said lugs whereby the link is swiveled to the nut, and an actuator for the link.

8. A rotor comprising a body having means whereby the same may be secured on a polished rod, a clutch member on said body, and a housing adjustable on said body and having means enclosingand scraping one end portion of said clutch member free of foreign matter, said body andsaid clutch member having cooperating driving means.

9., A rotor comprising a body having means whereby the same may be secured on a polished rod, a clutch member on said body, a housing adjustable on said body and having means enclosing and scraping one end portion of said clutch member free of foreign matter, said body and said clutch member having cooperating driving means, and a spring within said housing and urging said clutch member to an extreme position and being confined between one end of said housing and one end of the clutch member.

10. A' polished rod rotor comprising a body having means whereby the same may be secured on a polished rod and being provided with a reduced portion defining a shoulder, a clutch member on said reduced portion, said shoulder and said clutch member being provided with cooperating driving means, a housing threaded on said reduced portion and movably receiving one terminal of said clutch member, and a spring withinsaid housing and between said clutch member and one end of the housing.

11.A polished rod rotor comprising a body having means whereby the same may be secured on a polished rod and being provided with a reduced portion defining a shoulder, a, clutch member on said reduced portion, said shoulder and said clutch member being provided with cooperating driving means, a housing threaded on said reduced portion and movably receiving one terminal ofsaid clutch member, and a spring within said housing and between said clutch member and one end of the housing, the

portion of said housing which receives said Hit) lit)

12.'A polished rod rotor comprising a body having means whereby the same may be secured to a polished rod, a clutch memher on the body and having a threaded-arm, a nut threaded on said arm and having radial lugs at opposite sides thereof, and an operating i link having one end provided with spaced attaching fingers provided with oppositely directed sockets detachably receiving said lugs.

ture. V

ALEXANDER BOYNTON.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signa- 

